Topotactic metal hydroxide decomposition to organize metal oxide nanoparticles inside electrospun fibers

Abstract

For electrospinning of MgO nanoparticle-based fiber architectures, we exploit the intermediate formation of layered Mg(OH)2 nanosheets that form inside polyvinylalcohol (PVA) based fibers during nanoparticle-polymer formulation. Upon calcination, Mg(OH)2 nanosheets undergo a topotactic dehydration reaction. In conjunction with polymer removal, these sheets generate staggered MgO nanoparticle ensembles that comprise flat ribbons. With methanol as a solvent and in polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) fibers, the MgO nanoparticles retain their crystallinity and structure inside the electrospun fibers. After calcination, they form nanoparticle threads with a cylindrical profile and particle size gradient.